That’s always the first thing you do. Bags second.....
CK5
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'89 R3500 Crew Cab 2wd to 4wd conversion & beyond
- Thread starter mrk5
- Start date
Started out with 2wd TBI350 with SM465 to current 4wd with 454, 700r4, NP241
That’s always the first thing you do. Bags second.....
If the trailer weighs over 5k loaded, your insurance may require it in the fine print.
We plan to get the trailer weighed once I have the truck weighed. I'm guessing the trailer is around 4000lbs. We don't carry water in it yet because the water heater leaks.
I do want to get a weight distribution hitch. I was watching a video that compared the 2 and the conclusion was the weight distribution is more beneficial. Part of the reason for lifting the trailer is a more affordable weight distribution hitch.
We didn't travel far, just an hour from home. It was actually smoother than I expected. It might have helped having the weight of the go kart in the back. Also helped remembering to air the rear tires up.
I do want to get a weight distribution hitch. I was watching a video that compared the 2 and the conclusion was the weight distribution is more beneficial. Part of the reason for lifting the trailer is a more affordable weight distribution hitch.
We didn't travel far, just an hour from home. It was actually smoother than I expected. It might have helped having the weight of the go kart in the back. Also helped remembering to air the rear tires up.
Oh and I like the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 brake controller. It has a lot of adjustability and I like the easy to use digital display and push buttons. My Silverado had the style with an red/orange/green light and 2 dials to adjust. It gets the job done but I like the P3 as it actually tells you what's going on.
When you get used to what voltage the trailer brakes like, it's nice to be able to see what is happening.
Gonna be putting the hood from the scrapped K5 on the crew cab. Any guesses what I'm doing to it first?
Making a cornhole game
Hey, if you decide not to use these...I will buy them off you. I need to get bags on my CC sometime soon for the towing it's gonna start to see...
That's interesting you mention that. When I was reading your posts yesterday I was actually thinking you could probably use the air bags more than me. I really need the weight distribution hitch more than the bags. Selling you the air bags would pay for a big chunk of the WD hitch.
I'm kinda torn tho because I've always planned to put air bags in this truck. I've thought about getting softer rear springs and using air bags to make up the load handling difference. Wade and I have also tossed around an idea or 2 that would utilize air bags. Let me talk it over with the wife.
Hmmm, nope
Vombrown
Mountain Man
Looks to me like it's getting some louvre inserts! They sure help with cooling down the monster.
Sounds good, just let me know.
Oh, and I kinda agree that you probably need a WD hitch more immediately. Do you plan to tow anything heavier than the hard-side trailer with this truck? If not, I think the WD hitch would do exactly what you need it to, as like I said earlier I don't think the squat is all that bad on your truck right now while towing that hard-side. I just know mine will need bags for when I have my slide-in on the back and towing my blazer on the trailer too (and honestly, I might want a WD hitch with all of that along with the bags, haha)
Vombrown
Mountain Man
Don't do the softer springs and airbags. I did it on one of my dodge trucks that was lifted, went with a soft comfortable spring in the back (1 ton truck) and added the airbags with the auto leveling compressor. That thing was SERIOUSLY squirrelly when loaded heavy. The bags aren't rigid when inflated like you think they would be. Towing straight down the highway it was fine. Around corners at speed it was a serious pucker factor. I eventually added another 2 leafs to my "soft" springs and made them stiff again. Left the bags on. Towed great again.
Did you have both bags plumbed together? Or plumbed individually?
Vombrown
Mountain Man
No it was plumbed correctly. Each bag was plumbed independent of the other.
Having them split does more for body roll. Most semi trucks have them connected to just one leveling valve. I drove one with 2 leveling valves so that the bags were split side to side, it was a pain to get the truck to sit level. We made it just a single valve system and didn't see a drastic increase in body roll.
I bet that the problem with your Dodge was more related to less axle control from the soft springs. Just a thought.
I found this video to be very informative as to whether you should run airbags on a pickup. My takeaway is this: bumper pull trailers run weight distributing, fifth wheels and goosenecks run airbags.
Vombrown
Mountain Man
That's entirely possible. It was plumbed according to the manufacturer specs. I thought it would compensate for the lack of a heavier spring rate and it didn't. After increasing the spring rate with the added leafs it was still softer than the stock 1 ton springs but towed MUCH better. So "softer" is good but apparently there is a rate where too soft and the bags won't compensate. Or at least didn't in my application. I gave thought to piping them together but I was worried about the "sloshing" effect when the truck leans forcing air from one bag with more pressure to the other with less as a result of expansion.
Good video...what about slide-in campers in the bed along with bumper pull trailer? Does that mean you need bags and WD hitch?
